The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory has appealed to citizens to actively participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, emphasised that registering to vote is the first step for Nigerians who truly want their voices heard in governance.
He urged citizens to dismiss doubts about the power of their votes, noting that political apathy only benefits leaders who thrive on low voter turnout.
“Our votes matter. If they didn’t, no one would try to buy them. Nigerians must realise that the real power lies in the ballot, not in the money shared during elections,” Rev. Hayab said.
The cleric also called on religious leaders across all faiths to step up voter education within congregations and communities, describing faith-based platforms as vital for grassroots mobilisation.
Rev. Hayab appealed to INEC to make registration centres more accessible, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas, so that no eligible voter is excluded.
According to INEC, the CVR exercise opened on August 18, 2025, with online pre-registration, while physical registration began on August 25. The process will run until August 30, 2026, across the Commission’s 811 offices nationwide. The commission revealed that over 1.3 million Nigerians had already completed their online registration within the first week, with young people aged 18–34 making up the majority.
INEC further clarified that the CVR covers fresh registration, transfer of voting locations, and replacement of lost or damaged voter cards, while warning against multiple registrations, which remain illegal.
Rev. Hayab specifically urged youths and women to take the exercise seriously, stressing that vote-selling undermines both personal integrity and the country’s future.
“Selling your vote is selling your conscience and your tomorrow. We must resist inducements and stand firm for a Nigeria built on justice, peace, and progress,” he cautioned.
Northern CAN reaffirmed its commitment to working with churches, civil society groups, and community leaders to ensure that every eligible Nigerian has the opportunity to register and participate in the electoral process.
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